Tyrese Haliburton, the 25-year-old guard for the Indiana Pacers, faced an emotional rollercoaster during the 2025 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA Playoffs, particularly in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite firing up the crowd early with three successful three-pointers on May 27, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, an Achilles injury abruptly ended his championship aspirations. The incident not only dashed his hopes of leading the Pacers to their first NBA title but also deeply affected him on a personal level.

However, Haliburton’s story extends beyond basketball. During the recent summer season, he became part of a major event in professional wrestling, gaining attention for a viral moment at WWE SummerSlam. His unique crossover between the NBA and WWE spotlight revealed a dream that was just as important to him as winning a basketball championship.

How Haliburton’s Vision Tied NBA Glory to WWE Stardom

Haliburton’s connection with WWE head Paul Levesque, better known as Triple H, unfolded behind the scenes before the playoffs began. In a candid discussion on the Self Made podcast, Haliburton disclosed the moment he pitched an idea to Triple H about walking out with 17-time WWE Champion John Cena at SummerSlam, provided Cena remained a heel and Haliburton’s team won the championship.

“I’ll tell you guys the truth. before I got hurt and before the playoffs started, I kind of had a little conversation with Triple H. I didn’t know if I’d ever tell this story publicly.” —Tyrese Haliburton

“I had a little conversation with Triple H. I said, ‘I’m begging you, I’m begging you, I’m begging you. If Cena is still a heel come SummerSlam time and we win a championship, you have to let me walk him out with the chip in Jersey at MetLife‘.” —Tyrese Haliburton

For a lifelong WWE fan, walking out alongside John Cena at MetLife Stadium would have been an unforgettable moment blending his athletic and entertainment passions. Haliburton described the idea as something incredibly cool and was hopeful it would come to fruition, with Triple H expressing openness to the conversation.

“Like that would be the coldest shit ever. And he (Triple H) was like, you know, ‘we’ll talk, we’ll talk about it.’ And then of course I get hurt.” —Tyrese Haliburton

Throughout his injury recovery, Triple H kept in contact, supporting Haliburton and collaborating on an alternative plan that incorporated the New York crowd’s notorious jeering into a theatrical moment for SummerSlam. Even though the original dream was sidelined, the partnership remained alive and meaningful.

“So yeah, I think that was more if you saw those tears when we lost, number one was about not being able to win a championship and getting hurt. Number two was the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to walk John Cena out at SummerSlam. So, yeah, that’s trash, but it would have been that was the dream for sure. Now, who knows if it would ever happen, but that was the dream.” —Tyrese Haliburton

Changing WWE Storylines and Crowd Reactions Impacted Plans

Haliburton’s WWE ambitions faced additional hurdles unrelated to his injury. The wrestling storyline shifted dramatically between the Elimination Chamber event in March and the SummerSlam main event, altering John Cena’s character from heel (villain) back to face (hero). This reversal in Cena’s WWE persona made it impractical for Haliburton to join him on stage as a villainous entourage figure, particularly before the hostile New York crowd at MetLife Stadium.

Understanding this, both WWE and Haliburton adjusted their approach, resulting in Haliburton appearing as a fan in the crowd rather than a participant in the ring entrance. His viral moment came when Cena, in a Street Fight match against Cody Rhodes, used one of Haliburton’s crutches as a weapon to gain an advantage—an improvised moment that delighted fans and highlighted Haliburton’s unexpected role in the event.

Despite the missed opportunity to walk out with Cena officially, Haliburton proudly wore Cena’s t-shirt, maintaining his connection to the wrestling legend and signaling his ongoing admiration.

Tying Together Haliburton’s Dual Passions in Sports and Entertainment

Tyrese Haliburton represents a unique intersection between the worlds of elite basketball and sports entertainment, blending his NBA career with his enthusiasm for professional wrestling. His candid revelations about near-misses, injuries, and changing plans reveal a raw and powerful narrative of what might have been.

His cross-industry engagement hints at the potential for future collaborations between NBA professionals and WWE performers, especially as fan interest in crossover moments grows. Although his injury and storyline changes prevented what could have been a historic event at SummerSlam, Haliburton’s story adds a compelling chapter to the evolving relationship between sports and entertainment.

The bond Haliburton has established with figures like John Cena and Triple H also speaks to greater opportunities beyond the basketball court. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if Haliburton revisits WWE involvement or other entertainment ventures as his basketball career progresses.